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use a compessor stuff sack

No one here mentioned this so I'm adding it.

You can try to use what's called a compressor stuff sack. It has four attached straps on one end and a cap on the other. When you pull the straps tight it compresses everything and make it smaller. Look it up on the web. Let me know if that works for you.

By the way, I think that someone already mentioned this a few posts back. Oh well, 'm just reiterating it.

Go to the Zimmerbuilt website and look at the hammock packs. If you become a donating member here on HF you can go to the bqckpqcking thread and read about them. They are designed to solve the problem.

You're using a Catalyst? That thing is HUGE, you should have no problem fitting everything in it with room to spare for 25lbs, especially this time of year. Why don't you post your gear list here and let some of us look at it for you?

You're using a Catalyst? That thing is HUGE, you should have no problem fitting everything in it with room to spare for 25lbs, especially this time of year. Why don't you post your gear list here and let some of us look at it for you?

When you get the new quilts load your pack and report back, I have a Catalyst and have all sorts of room for my winter set up. Don't put your new quilts in a compression sack, put them in a trash compactor bag and stuff it in the bottom of your pack.What's in your first aid kit that weighs 12oz? Not sure you need both 10 and 12 Imusa pots but that's not much weight. Good Luck

When you get the new quilts load your pack and report back, I have a Catalyst and have all sorts of room for my winter set up. Don't put your new quilts in a compression sack, put them in a trash compactor bag and stuff it in the bottom of your pack.What's in your first aid kit that weighs 12oz? Not sure you need both 10 and 12 Imusa pots but that's not much weight. Good Luck

Thanks. My first aid kit is heavy-ish, but it also includes bug spray, lots of sunscreen (FYI don't get burned in an explosion, you have to wear SPF 1,000,000 forever and man, do burns hurt) ,hand sanitizer, extra matches, small lightweight knife. I use it for hiking, camping, backpacking. I may take some stuff out. I guess that weight includes stuff that most people don't include as a first aid kit. I just like it all in one place.

Ratdog, Thanks! 3 lbs is a lot. Unfortunately, the post office is a day behind, so I'm heading out tomorrow with a stuffed pack. The Jack's R Better down stuff should be here by Friday and will save me 2.5 pounds. It's funny, my pack weight seems really good , it's just bulky....

Update: Mailman came as I was just about to leave. Threw in the quilts, and they took up less room than just my Kelty Cosmic Down 20. Went hiking with my buddy, then set up camp. I accidentally put the Shenandoah up as an UQ and used the Hudson River as a TQ. Temps went down to 45 overnight and I was still toasty. Now that I know to put the Hudson River underneath, I should have no problems. Had plenty of room in the pack.